What makes a great tip

Every tip counts. But some tips are worth a lot more than others. Here's what makes a great one.

Specifics beat vagueness

"Company X is hiring" is OK. "Company X is hiring 6 forklift drivers for their new night shift, foreman is Mike" is gold. The more concrete, the easier for BD to close.

"Heard it from the supervisor" beats "saw a sign"

Both pay. But a quote from someone inside the company is worth more because it's harder for the BD team to get on their own.

Fresh beats stale

A tip the same day you heard it is worth more than one from last month. Same goes for "now hiring" signs — when a banner has been up for a year, it's less likely to convert.

Anatomy of a $1,000 lead

• Company: Specific name and location.
• Need: Real role and headcount.
• Source: Heard directly from someone inside.
• Urgency: "ASAP" or "next month" beats "eventually."
• Contact: Even a first name + role helps BD get in the door.